Rumpsville

Saturday I went on a scooter ride to the Antique Archeology space in Marathon Village here in Nashville. Mike Wolf has been around Nashville for some time and is best known from the TV show American Pickers.

Mike has a love for scooters, bikes and motorcycles so a visit to his place seemed like a natural for me. The store has a great vibe, which sets off the décor behind the rusty gold concept.

I honestly do not know my motorcycles as well as some, but I do know a little about Von Dutch's pinstriping style and that he did built some crazy stuff. I am guessing he put a VW in about anything he could. How about a VW on a Harley frame?

Today Mike had a great pick, found in Tennessee on display. Below are few vintage photos taken from the web and 2 pictures of the motorcycle in the Antique Archeology space.

On a side note: This is my second experience with walking into a garage and finding an unexpected surprise in the form of a Von Dutch vehicle. Kind of exciting!

WELCOME HOME!

Veterans' Day, I could rant and rave for hours about this subject. Our family lived it and I still feel the gut wrenching knots when I reflect on the whole F#ckin mess!

We were lucky, it has been 40 years since my father returned. He has never broken his vigil for the POW and MIA. He has worn the same MIA bracelet for 40 years, met the family of that particular pilot, documented his accomplishments and has taken great care in preserving that MIAs memory.  In the picture below my father wears black and carriers the POW MIA flag the Veterans' Day parade in Austin TX.

Entry from Nov 11, 2010

 Chuck Hardesty   12-22-57 - 10-18-11

We've all lost a true hot rodder and I've lost one of my best friends. Chuck Hardesty, Caruthersville, MO., passed away October 18, 2011 after contacting an internal flesh-eating virus. His diabetes and prior liver problems greatly increased the odds of contacting this very rare virus. The virus is believed to have been transferred through a cut on his hand while doing what loved - working on an ole hot rod.

Chuck was a lover of all cars and had a special fondness for all Henry 1932 Fords. He never owned a "show car", but you can bet they were all driven often and were all the "real deal". Chuck was  a long time member of both national organizations.
 
We can all learn from this! Clean up and sterilize yourself immediately if you obtain a cut while working on anything - a habit that's hard for all of us, including myself, to follow.

Chuck leaves his wife Elizabeth, family, and a host of friends to mourn his passing. His last ride was in his 1957 Nomad followed by his 1932 3 window all Henry coupe. Some thirteen other hot rodders and three Harleys showed their respect by driving in the possession.

Chuck was loved by all that knew him. We will miss you Chuck and our prayers go out to Elizabeth and the family. God bless. 

Respectfully submitted, Joe "Studebaker Joe" Klinkhardt Hayti, MO

Bill Akin of Hermitage, TN took his Bardahl Special up to the Louisville Concours D' Elegance and won first place in his class. That is his third win with a car he considers the ugliest out of his collection. The crowning moment was Mr. Akin's victory lap around the legendary Churchill Downs.

Old friend Chuck Hardesty's 32 is all real steel. I took a few pictures of his very straight coupe at the Goodguys in Nashville, TN. I believe the pinstriping was done by Rick Harris.

Chuck and I both recieved our very own Norm Grabowski skull shifters at the same NRSA event in 2006. Below is a shot of Chuck's skull shifter taken that day in Knoxville, TN five years ago.